I've read many a book about creativity and writing. This was a so/so for me because it was really nothing new. For a fan of John Cleese, it might be a five star. I did find many of his personal stories interesting and that moved this from a three rating (only because I've read so many books on Creativity) to a four rating. Good little read!

Comedy icon John Cleese provides a how-to on how to stimulate the creative process. Its succinct straightforwardness and practical strategies taken from his own personal experience plus the expert knowledge of others make for a wonderfully practical guide for anyone who’s having a little trouble getting their imaginative gears whirling up again. And here, “anyone” really does mean anyone, and not just the artists, writers, comedians, or the other usual types that one may naturally think up upon mention of “creativity.” For not only is this guide a marvelously pragmatic little resource, it’s an encouraging one as well that states right from the start that creativity is not the sole property of a select few jobs or hobbies. Rather, it’s something that we can all cultivate, - and with this little book’s help, there’s no doubt in my mind that quite a few people will get their creative cultivation going a lot easier than they used to.

John Cleese proves to be a witty author, and offers an accessible read. There is charm here, combined with intelligence for a worthwhile look at creativity from a voice we know well. Many thanks to the publisher for an advance review copy, from which I offer this unbiased review.

Short and cheerful is, indeed, at the heart of John Cleese's delightful and incredibly practical guide to creativity.

"Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide," scheduled for a September 8th release by Crown Publishing, celebrates creativity as a skill that anyone can acquire and rejects any notion that creativity is some elusive gift possessed by only a few. With brevity, wisdom, and more than a little humor, Cleese draws upon his lifelong experience as a writer and offers simple and understandable advice for getting the creative juices flowing and how to handle such familiar obstacles as the proverbial brick wall and learning how to discern roadblocks from detours.

You can practically hear Cleese's voice reading "Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide" and it's Cleese's ability to write in his familiar voice that really helps to make this short, breezy read such an absolute delight from beginning to end.

An academic before he entered the world of entertainment, Cleese explains how our minds work as we search for inspiration before offering up how we can approach the task before us creatively and come up with a better idea, refine that idea, and then present it to the world. While most often utilizing writing as an example, Cleese makes it clear that creativity has its place in our everyday world.

With simple and almost whimsical graphics and Cleese's always intact wit, "Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide" is a "must have" for Cleese's fans and a delightful addition to your self-help at a fingertip library.